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June

FILMS

HEREDITARY – June 8

One of the most exciting films this year from writer/director Ari Aster is finally here. When Ellen passes away, her daughter’s family begins to unravel cryptic and increasingly terrifying secrets about their ancestry. The more they discover, the more they find themselves trying to outrun the sinister fate they seem to have inherited.

This installment from Fernando León de Aranoa tells the story about a journalist who strikes up a romantic relationship with drug lord Pablo Escobar. Javier Bardem is one of my favorite actors so anything he does, I’ll watch.

Samuel Alabaster, an affluent pioneer, ventures across the American frontier to marry the love of his life, Penelope. As his group traverses the west, the once-simple journey grows treacherous, blurring the lines between hero, villain and damsel.

I consider Robert Pattinson and Mia Wasikowska two very competent young actors who don’t get the respect they deserve.

After discovering that Mexican drug cartels are smuggling jihadi terrorists across the U.S. border. The CIA sends Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) and former undercover operative Alejandro Gillick (Benicio del Toro) to eliminate the problem.

Sequels are usually a waste of time, especially now that Denis Villeneuve and Emily Blunt are not returning, but Taylor Sheridan (Winder River, Hell or High Water) is a very capable writer and Benicio was magic in the first installment (deserving of the Oscar nomination). Chances are, if the film does anything to suggest that we need more security across the border, Hollywood critics will reject it outright.

Susanna White (Generation Kill) brings a story about a headstrong New York painter who embarks on a dangerous journey to meet Sitting Bull, but must face off with an Army officer intent war with the Native Americans. Reviews have been poor so far, but Steven Knight is one of my favorite working writers today and Jessica Chastain tends to pick very strong female roles for herself (Zero Dark Thirty, Tree of Life, Sloan, Molly’s Game).

STREAMING

In case you haven’t noticed, there is a lot of new material coming out every month. I mean, just this month there are 39 new original titles coming to Netflix alone. 39! Granted most of this stuff will be garbage as the clear agenda of quantity over quality is evident. This new streaming tap will now be included every month to help pinpoint the new things coming out on streaming services and what you should add to you list. Enjoy.

Marcella (S2) – June 8

Marcella returns, and she may be more crazed than ever. The first series was pretty good (as most British shows seems to excel) and I have high hopes for the second. Netflix will be streaming this month.

Netflix will also be streaming the series finale of Sense8, and sci-fi show of sorts that has gained a massive following. With a clear LGBTQ agenda (duh, the Wachowski broth.. er.. ummm.. Wachowski sibling.. uh ermmm, the Wachowski’s??), this show sparks some controversy but I thoroughly enjoyed the first 2 seasons. Trailer of Series Finale below.

Westworld (S2 Season Finale) – June 24

Oh wow, oh my, wow. This series keeps getting better and better and I cannot wait for the finale this month. We are currently putting together a fairly exhaustive review of this season and also melding it with Jonathan Nolan’s other baby, Person of Interest. That will be available by the end of this month but until then don’t forget to watch Westworld! Also, if you have the time you should add Person of Interest to your watch list. It is currently streaming on Netflix.